I recently purchased a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee and it can not get the shaft to stop turning even after I take it out of four wheel drive. This makes a very loud sound...almost like when brake pads are rubbing...brakes are fine, but just best way I can describe the sound. Can anyone point me in the right direction? My limited research seems to point to a motor or a vacuum line the will engage the drive shaft, not sure which,is on the 98... If any of this makes any sense to anyone out there your help would be greatly appreciated.

I recently purchased a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee and it can not get the shaft to stop turning even after I take it out of four wheel drive. This makes a very loud sound...almost like when brake pads are rubbing...brakes are fine, but just best way I can describe the sound. Can anyone point me in the right direction? My limited research seems to point to a motor or a vacuum line the will engage the drive shaft, not sure which,is on the 98... If any of this makes any sense to anyone out there your help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

The shaft is going to turn regardless what you do wether your in 2wd or 4wd the only difference is the front end is not engaged until you put it in 4wd so in 2wd it just free spins as far as the rubbing sound i would try replacing the pinion bearing on the front yoke if that dont help u joints is your next bet

Ok, thank you for the info. I will do some more investigating as to the origin of the sound. Def getts louder the faster I go and can best be described as a spinning rubbing sound. Gona.check the exhaust suggestion first and get back on here with results. Thanks again everyone!

So I should be looking at the yoke to be making the rubbing sound correct? I am trying to learn as I go so please forgive my noob quwstions. Is there anything specific or in general I should b looking for on the yoke? Thank you again!

Your fine im still learning too i dought it will be the exhaust cause you said it only does it while your moving if it wa the driveshaft touching the pipe it would rattle an vibrate at a stop jack your jeep up put the front on jack stands and jack the rear up with no tires touching the ground so the driveshaft will spin put the t case and trans in neutral and spin it by hand thats how youll find it i would check brake rotors to just spin each wheel those will cause rubbing noises as well

You could also just yank the drive-shaft entirely, that way you can narrow down your search. if you yank it and it goes away, put it back in and like said above, lift it and put it on JACKSTANDS and rotate the whole shaft by hand and see where/what its rubbing/hitting.

Had that problem on a 96 with a 242. It was the output bearing assembly going out on the front of the t-case. If thats the issue keep a close eye on ur fluid lvl in it. Crawl under it w the t-case in nuetral and see if u can grab the drive shaft and move it up and down like ur trying to bench press the rig and watch where the movement is coming from. There shouldnt be any

Ok was able to get it up on lift today. The good news is t case and all 4x4 is working great! Fluids checked and changed.. No play in any shafts or yolks. Bad news is I actually have two rear wheel bearings that have gone bad. But I guess good news is 4wheel is in great working order. Anything I should know about wheel bearings? Is this a pros only thing or can a noob with youtube do it right?

1. Jack the rig up and put it on jack stands
2. Take both tires off and chalk the front tires
3. Loosen the differential cover and catch the fluid " you wont need it but you dont want to work in a mess it smells like crap"
4. Once you have the cover off you will see the chunk there is a nickel size dial pin in the middle there will be a set screw that holds it in place
5. Remove the screw and tap the pin to free it up
6. Spin the axle shaft till the other side off the pin is accessible and pull it out
7. Then you should be able to push the axle shafts inward
8. Looking inside the differential you will see a C-clip on each axle shaft remove them and pull the axle shafts out
9. BE CAREFUL dont drop them or damage the splines

After that you should be able to see the wheel bearings i dought you will have to take the break assembly off but you will need to go get a bearing puller and slide hammer from o'reillys they will rent them to you an when you return them you will get your money back

10. Pry the wheel seal out with a flat head screw driver or seal puller and then use the bearing puller to remove the bearing
11. Install the new parts and reassemble everything
12. Fill with 90w or the recommended fluid i like lucas or royal purple but thats just me if it calls for regular tranny fluid you can use Castrol blue hydraulic fluid

Good to go if you have any problems send me a private message and ill give you my cell number and walk you through it hope this helps